Intergenerational Interventions to Address Epigenetics and the Food Environment Conundrum
Main Article Content
Abstract
Preconception optimal health and well-being of both potential parents are critical determiners of epigenetic impacts on fetal development and subsequent health for 3-5 generations. With a comprehensive review of existing literature in Google Scholar, PubMed, and local resources, the biological and societal consequences of the obesity pandemic and epigenetics emphasize the critical need for systemic change. The disparity between the current food supply of ultra processed or ultraformulated foodstuffs with bodies that do not recognize them as nutrition has aided in the creation of our obesogenic global society, undernourished and overfed. Some attempts, like the ban on sugary sweetened beverages were thwarted by Big Food; however, individual and local attempts to improve the well-being of children and families are succeeding. To ascertain the status of sustainable interventions across generations, we note trending changes moving toward healthy real food. The impetus for an Intergenerational Families of Choice Model (IFCM) with non-genetic members supporting each other, like those groupings in 12 step recovery communities, addresses the need for intergenerational connections and support systems in an era of fractured families in which parents, grandparents, and newer generations frequently lack proximity in a shared community. Key insights include the links among parental health, long-term outcomes for offspring, the role of community in mitigating these effects, and the potential benefits of an “Intergenerational Family of Choice" Model or IFCM. This model invites intentional, intergenerational support networks to foster connection, resilience, and shared resources. These include creating spaces—such as schools or community centers—where generations can work and play together, share meals with real nutrient rich food at inexpensive costs, and build relationships, instead of the isolating and unhealthy patterns of fast-food culture. This framework underscores the holistic, community-driven approaches to preconception health, empowering families to break cycles of addiction, improve wellbeing mentally, physically, and socially, while nurturing a thriving, connected future generation.
Keywords:
preconception health, obesity, food addiction, fetal development, intergenerational support, Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD), community-based models
Article Details
How to Cite
MYERS-MORRISON, Cynthia; RAY, Ilene.
Intergenerational Interventions to Address Epigenetics and the Food Environment Conundrum.
Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 13, n. 6, june 2025.
ISSN 2375-1924.
Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/6597>. Date accessed: 15 july 2025.
doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v13i6.6597.
Section
Review Articles
The Medical Research Archives grants authors the right to publish and reproduce the unrevised contribution in whole or in part at any time and in any form for any scholarly non-commercial purpose with the condition that all publications of the contribution include a full citation to the journal as published by the Medical Research Archives.
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17. Zhou WJ, Huang C, Jiang SH, et al. Influence of sperm morphology on pregnancy outcome and offspring in in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a matched case-control study. Asian J Androl. 2021;23(4):421-428. doi:10.4103/aja.aja_91_20
18. Kaikkonen MU, Lam MTY, Glass CK. Non-coding RNAs as regulators of gene expression and epigenetics. Cardiovasc Res. 2011;90(3):430-440. doi:10.1093/cvr/cvr097
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22. da Luz FQ, Sainsbury A, Mannan H, Touyz S, Mitchison D, Hay P. Prevalence of obesity and comorbid eating disorder behaviors in South Australia from 1995 to 2015. Int J Obes. 2017;41(7):1148-1153. doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.79
23. McAulay C, Dawson L, Mond J, Outhred T, Touyz S. “The Food Matches the Mood”: Experiences of Eating Disorders in Bipolar Disorder. Qual Health Res. 2021;31(1):100-112. doi:10.1177/1049732320956267
24. Niklewicz A, Smith AD, Smith A, et al. The importance of vitamin B12 for individuals choosing plant-based diets. Eur J Nutr. 2023;62(3):1551-1559. doi:10.1007/s00394-022-03025-4
25. Stavitz J. Understanding Micronutrient Access through the Lens of the Social Ecological Model: Exploring the Influence of Socioeconomic Factors—A Qualitative Exploration. Nutrients. 2024;16(11):1757. doi:10.3390/nu16111757
26. McKillop H, Aoyama K. Salt and marine products in the Classic Maya economy from use-wear study of stone tools. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018;115(43):10948-10952. doi:10.1073/pnas.1803639115
27. Clemente-Suárez VJ, Beltrán-Velasco AI, Redondo-Flórez L, Martín-Rodríguez A, Tornero-Aguilera JF. Global Impacts of Western Diet and Its Effects on Metabolism and Health: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023;15(12):2749. doi:10.3390/nu15122749
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